**Official** England in New Zealand

[ozone]

From BBC Sport - Graveney - who revealed he had been unable to contact Prior - said that Ambrose, who scored 858 runs in last year's Championship at an average of 45.15, would start as first-choice keeper in Tests and Mustard in the one-dayers.

More madness from the selectors. Why not try to keep a bit of consistency?

 

[Richard]

Well it's fairly transparent - Ambrose replaces Prior, Mustard is only ever in the Test squad because he's already been there for ODIs.

 

[Richard]

Well guys... the next bombshell is, yes, Andrew Flintoff is to join the party... as a specialist batsman.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Please tell me you're taking the piss.

 

[ozone]

Well guys... the next bombshell is, yes, Andrew Flintoff is to join the party... as a specialist batsman.

He's to join the Lions Party. Not the full test squad unless they've changed their minds from earlier.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Half a news story is a dangerous toy, Dickinson. Flintoff likely to join the ENGLAND LIONS squad as a specialist batsman. Not the Test squad.

 

[Richard]

Half a news story is a dangerous toy, Dickinson. Flintoff likely to join the ENGLAND LIONS squad as a specialist batsman. Not the Test squad.

Haha, Charles Colville is atrocious. Thank &%$£ for that. Thought it was the Test squad.

Either way, him playing for the A team is still pretty bad.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Hahaha @ English selectors.

 

[Goughy]

Ive not looked at the Lions squad but Ive seen the England squad and that Panesar and Flintoff will play with the Lions.

Given that, I thought Id have a crack at list in a Lions Team excluding the England squad players and compare it to what was selected.

Was tougher than I thought

Anyway, I was looking for 4 types of players that this type of tour benefits and whos inclusion benefits England

a) Experienced back-ups that need to be kept in the system and part of the England set-up to come in if loss of form or injury to others.

b) England first team players looking to work on form or match fitness

c) Young players that extra experience will help them push for positions in the short term future and put them on the edge of the England scene

d) Inexperinced players with potential that can be blooded and brought into the England fold. An investment that probably will not yeild a return for at least a few years.

Basically, players that have a chance to play for England ranging from now to 10 years time. Players unlikely to be considered for England should not be considered

With that in mind, here is my squad

[B]Batsmen (7)[/B]
Flintoff [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Samit Patel (23 or younger)
Godleman (23 or younger)
Key [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Denly (23 or younger)
Ed Joyce [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Hildreth (23 or younger)


[B]Keepers (2)[/B]
Prior [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Davis (23 or younger)

[B]Allrounder (1)[/B]
Bopara (23 or younger) [I](Test cricketer)[/I]

[B]Seam Bowlers (4)[/B]
Steven Finn (23 or younger)
Tremlett [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Plunkett (23 or younger) [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
AN Other

[B]Spin Bowlers (2)[/B]
Panesar [I](Test cricketer)[/I]
Rashid (23 or younger)

Opinions? As you can see Im stil making up mymind for the 4th Seamer spot. Possible that there is too much batting as well. Maybe lose a bat and add a bowler or allrounder

 

[Richard]

Could I have an answer too please? Think this'd need to be fresh and relevant.

Kev, would you be interested in doing a "comment" feature-article on this squad, and this winter's baffling selections in general? I think you'd do such a thing best. But if you don't want to, I will.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Lions-wise surely Bopara is accounted for with the ODIs?

Perhaps Saj as a fourth seamer...

 

[Goughy]

Could I have an answer too please? Think this'd need to be fresh and relevant.

ha, sorry. All yours if you want it mate.

 

[ozone]

Perhaps Saj as a fourth seamer...

Please be joking

 

[Goughy]

Lions-wise surely Bopara is accounted for with the ODIs?

Perhaps Saj as a fourth seamer...

The 2 I had in mind were either young Harris or Silverwood. Was looking for other potential options. Saj wasnt considered

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Harsh on Prior. Sure he shelled a couple but he generally kept well and batted relatively well I thought. Certainly I doubt there's a better wicket keeper/batsman in the country. Weird.

No he didn't keep well.......as a wicketkeeper he's on a par with Bill Athey.
I can probably find a better keeper/batsman in my back garden.

 

[Richard]

The 2 I had in mind were either young Harris or Silverwood. Was looking for other potential options. Saj wasnt considered

Hmm, Silverwood, ITSTL. What was his form like last season? Seem to recall that for about 5 years he missed about half the season with injury, was released by Yorkshire, and promptly played a full season.

Harris will still only be, what, 17 at the mo? Would imagine he'll be fairly occupied with his A2-levels. Not for at the absolute least another year should he be playing for England A IMO, really. And that depends on his plans for Uni.

 

[NZTailender]

Hahaha @ English selectors.

Makes New Zealand's selectors look like ****ing Einsteins.

 

[Perm]

Disgraceful. Can't help but think this guys must have been on drugs when selecting the squad.

Why is it that people who are paid to do this job are so incapable, yet the majority of those at CW would do a better job?

 

[Flem274*]

TBH I'm not sure why they dropped Paul Nixion. Yes he was old and fairly average but he's ab etter keeper than Prior and can still use a bat effectively plus brings alot of experience to the team.

Annoyed about Strauss's recall, I was looking forward to him playing for the Northern Knights this summer. He was playing for an NZ FC side so he could adjust to conditions and hopefully get some runs under his belt to earn a recall. TBH if he faces much of O'Brien in the tests down here then he'll be fine. Hope Franklin kicks that talentless waste of space out of the kiwi test team.

 

[ozone]

TBH I'm not sure why they dropped Paul Nixion. Yes he was old and fairly average but he's ab etter keeper than Prior and can still use a bat effectively plus brings alot of experience to the team.

Never played in tests in first place. Was dropped probably because they were looking to build for the next World Cup (Englands excuse for being crap every time they lose and anything else that the selectors do that doesn't make sense).